ZB vz. 30
Light machine gun
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The ZB-30 and ZB-30J were Czechoslovak light machine guns that saw extensive use during World War II.
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Romania (license)
Yugoslavia (license)
| ZB-30 | |
|---|---|
M37, a Yugoslav variant of the ZB vz. 30 | |
| Type | Light machine gun |
| Place of origin | Czechoslovakia Romania (license) Yugoslavia (license) |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1930–2009[1] |
| Used by | See Users |
| Production history | |
| Designed | 1930 |
| Manufacturer | Zbrojovka Brno, Cugir Arms Factory, Military Technical Institute Kragujevac[2] |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 9.10 kg (20.06 lb) |
| Length | 1,180 mm (46.5 in) |
| Cartridge | 7.92×57mm Mauser |
| Action | Gas-operated, tilting breechblock |
| Rate of fire | 550-650 rounds/min |
| Muzzle velocity | 750 m/s (2,461 ft/s) |
| Effective firing range | 1,000 m (1,100 yd) |
| Feed system | 20-round detachable box magazine |
| Sights | Front blade, rear leaf sight |
History
The Zb 30 and Zb 30J were the later versions of the famous Czechoslovak machine gun, the ZB-26. However, the ZB-30 had some design differences, making it similar to the later ZGB-33, which was an early prototype of the Bren gun.[3] Like the ZB-26, the Wehrmacht adopted the ZB-30 after the occupation of Czechoslovakia, renaming it the MG 30(t); it was used in the same role as the MG34, as a light machine gun. In the opening phases of World War II, the ZB-30 in 7.92 mm Mauser caliber was used in large numbers by elements of the German Waffen-SS, who did not initially have full access to standard Wehrmacht supply channels.[1]
Comparison of original ZB vz.26 and modifications:
| Machine gun | ZB vz.26 | ZB vz.30 | ZB vz.30J[a] |
|---|---|---|---|
| Caliber (mm) | 7.92 | 7.92 | 7.92 |
| Length (mm) | 1165 | 1180 | 1204 |
| Weight (kg) | 8.84 | 9.10 | 9.58 |
| Magazine (rounds) | 20 | 20 | 20 |
| Rate (round/min) | 500 | 550-650 | 500-600 |
| Velocity (m/s) | 750 | 750 | 750 |
Users
Kingdom of Afghanistan: 2,000 in 7.92mm Mauser caliber shipped in 1938[5]
Algeria: used by the National Liberation Army.[6]
Biafra[7]
Bolivia: 3,350 in 7.65mm Mauser between 1932 and 1937,[5] used in the Chaco War,[8] still in use in the 1960s[9]
Bulgaria: used as aircraft gun on Kaproni Bulgarski KB-11 Fazan[citation needed]
Czechoslovakia[10]
Republic of China: Imported and produced under license.[11]
Ecuador 750 7.92mm Mauser in 1935-1936[5]
Ethiopia: 400-450 in 7.92mm Mauser ZB vz.30 bought in 1934, used by the Kebur Zabagna[12][5]
Nazi Germany
Guatemala: 50 in 7mm Mauser, delivered in 1937[13][5]
Iran:[14] produced under license. Modified to fire the .30 cartridge.[15]
Kingdom of Italy: An unspecified number were captured in Ethiopia and in Yugoslavia. By July 1942, 936 were listed in the Regio Esercito's inventory. Experiments were conducted in converting them to the 8×59mm Rb Breda cartridge. In March 1943, they were issued to territorial units in Lazio, Liguria, and Tuscany.[16]
Japan: used captured Chinese guns.[17]
Latvia: 11 in 7.92mm Mauser received in 1936[5]
Manchukuo[18]
Nicaragua: 5 in 7mm Mauser supplied in 1937[5]
Peru: 1,257 in 7.65mm, delivered from 1932 to 1938[5] Some converted to 7.62 NATO.[19]
Romania: Produced under license.[1][20] 17,131 were imported from Czechoslovakia from 1933[5][21] and 10,000 were license-produced at Cugir,[22] with a production rate of 250 pieces per month as of October 1942.[23]
Spain: 20,000 7.92mm Mauser caliber guns ordered[1] but only a few hundred actually delivered. Copied as the Fusil ametrallador Oviedo.[24]
Turkey: 9,805 7.92mm Mauser caliber supplied in 1935–1939.[5] Produced under license[1]
Uruguay: 80 in 7mm received in 1937[5]
Venezuela: 110 in 7mm Mauser caliber ZB-30J received in 1937[5]
Vietnam: Used by the Việt Minh, supplied by both Nationalist and Communist Chinese[25]
Yugoslavia: The ZB Model 30J was produced under license as, Пушкомитраљез 7.9mm модел 1937".[26][27] 15,500 were bought in 1936.[5]
